A 200cm forward from Melbourne's northern suburbs, Hill was taken by the Dogs with pick 89 in last year's NAB AFL Draft.
In the midst of his first pre-season, Hill recently attended the AFL Players' Association induction camp, which included an address from Maxwell.
"Nick gave us a great insight into what it takes to get to the highest level," Hill said.
"He came off a rookie list and now he's a premiership captain. I really took a lot away from what he said."
Now 19, Hill was eligible for the 2009 national draft but was overlooked.
He shrugged off his disappointment and signed a deal with expansion club Greater Western Sydney to play in its TAC Cup team during 2010.
However, he suffered a knee injury within a week of moving to Sydney.
"It was pretty interesting, to be honest," Hill said. "I didn't end up playing a full game. I only played the last half of the last game of the season.
"It was a funny year in that way. I just had to worry about rehab and getting my body right."
Despite the injury, Hill's spirits lifted when he was contacted by Bulldogs recruiting manager Simon Dalrymple last June.
"That made it a little bit awkward up in Sydney, but I just had to go about my business up there and not worry too much about it," he said.
"When the draft came around I was told that I'd be taken with pick 88 or 89, so I wasn't too nervous going into it.
"The year ended up going really quickly. It felt like one minute I was in Sydney living with a host family and the next I was back with mum and dad in Melbourne and part of a new club.
"It worked out really well in the end."
Having hardly made it onto the field in 2010, Hill has worked hard on his fitness during pre-season and his knee has handled the workload without any further problems arising.
"I've been putting a lot of work into my leg strength and my core stability," he added. "I've been really focussed on my rehab after the sessions and making sure I do all the icing and that sort of thing."
Hill has set modest goals for himself in 2011.
"I think most of the blokes start in the Williamstown reserves and then try and make your way into the Willy senior side," he said.
"My aim is really to make a good start there. I want to try and hold a spot in the Williamstown seniors for the year, but other than that I'm not thinking too far ahead.
"I just need to keep developing as a player."
